Waffle Iron Design?

[Gus_Martin]

Anyone have an opinion on whether the low or high profile Griswold
(18 or 19) is more stable? Using a Wolf gas range with traditional grids. Any opinion also on "heart star" or traditional design is a better choice for removal of a cooked waffle? Any idea on the weight of these units? Thanks for your help.

[C. B. Williams]

Gus: First welcome to the WAGS forum. We have had a discussion on this before. I can't remember which section. We generally agreed that the low base was better for an electric cooktop. And either would work with gas. Your wolf certainly has the BTU to use the high base if you want. These are really not very heavy, my guess is 2 to 3 lbs. for the base, and about 2 lbs. for each paddle. Removal is always a bit of a problem with any iron other than teflon lined. A bit of oil in the mix and a spray of BAKERS JOY on each paddle should do the trick. I don't think either design has an advantage as far as removal is concerned. All iron must be seasoned well for non-stick to work. I hope this answered your questions. You can find a waffle recipe in the recipe section.

[Gus_Martin]

Dear C.B.

Thanks for information. For those using the "heart-star"
grid pattern, is this one single waffle or five individual plus the star? It is difficult to tell by the photos. If it is individual waffles, it looks as if you need to be really good in placing your batter or use a piping bag (?).

[Troy_Hockensmith]

I echo CB's response. The heart and star is one solid waffle when it comes out. THe main problem with waffles sticking is the iron is not hot enough. I use PAM spray and have no problems. I used a good health iron for some time and recently started the heart and star and there is something about them. They just seem to taste better.

[Harry Riva]

The # 19 is a lot rarer and a lot more expensive than the 18 unless you stumble across one and the owner doesn't know what they have.
Harry

[Gus_Martin]

Thanks everyone for the valuable information. Time to crank
up those Wolf 16K btu burners. About your comment " . . . just
seems to taste better" - no illustion. I grew up on farm land in
northern Massachusetts and my grandmother was from 'down
east (Jonesport, Maine). Everything was cooked in cast iron
(on in some cases with the old stove) including potato with pork scraps, cod, haddock & smelts (in bacon fat!!!) but, oh the taste.
Cast iron cooking - back home again.

[C. B. Williams]

Gus: You asked about a piping bag. I have always made waffle batter a little on the thin side to insure that it filled all the cavities. Personally, I cheat, I use a teflon coated automatic waffle maker. Don't tell any of these WAGS people tho.  :-X

[Troy_Hockensmith]

Actually I agree with your blanket statement on cooking with iron. I was being specific in saying it seems the H&S makes a better tasting waffle then the Good health iron. Might be imagination but those cute little suckers are really good.

[Greg Stahl]

Hey Gus!!

We should hook up as you live in Framingham and I live in Clinton, but drive to Boston everyday.  I use the #18 heart and star to make waffles and have a low base with an electric stove.  With the BTUs you have on the WOLF, you could use either base, IMO.

[smiley=welcome.gif]

[Gus_Martin]

Greg:

I guess I do not need scan the area for Griswold within a 50 mile
radius of Clinton! I have only been collecting 'iron for about a month after I attempted to cook on high heat with my All-Clad fly pan - took weeks to clean. The sauce pans are pretty good, but the rest . . .

Travelling next few months, but hopefully hook up in the future.

Thanks everyone for all your guidance and help.

[Steve_Stephens]

Gus,
If you read this, this is what I have found in using more than a dozen waffle irons.  
I prefer high frame on my electric stove.  Don't know why someone would go with the low frame.  Irons are easier to turn on the high frame.

Griswold designed the high frame for gas stove use while low was for wood and coal.  They must have know something back in those days.  Other companies also made high frames for gas stove.

You will never find a No.19 Hearts Star.  But one just finished up on ebay very cheaply I heard.  I've never had one.  I prefer waffles from No.8 irons anyway as the spaces between the pattern are smaller giving a waffle texture that I prefer.

Standard American pattern Griswold waffles release slightly easier than the Hearts Star waffles.  Even easier releasing and possibly the best tasting waffles are from the Heart Shaped Design of the Alfred Andresen and Western Importing irons.

Different makes make different texture waffles because not too many irons use the same patterns.  There really isn't a large difference among them all but some seem to be better at doing their job.

Griswold irons are very well made and the ball joint easy to use and the irons stay together when rotating.  Can't be beat in my opinion.  The 314/315 p/n irons are my favorites but the latest irons with the heavy wire handles are clunky and don't handle well.

Steve